New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg Donates $250K To Md. Marriage Equality Campaign

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — In a week and a half, Maryland voters will decide whether to allow same-sex marriage in this state. And supporters are calling on high-profile help. With Election Day fast approaching, the mayor of New York City stands behind local leaders to rally for the message.

Kai Jackson has more on the push for voter approval.

The state of New York already made national news by allowing same-sex marriage. Now, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is trying to help Maryland do the same.

Bloomberg, mayor of the largest city in the country, is in Baltimore. He’s given millions of dollars of his money to his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.

“No. 1: I’m happy to be back in Baltimore. I spent many happy years here as an undergraduate of Johns Hopkins,” he said.

Now, Bloomberg has signed the check to help supporters of same-sex marriage. He donated $250,000 dollars to the Marylanders for Marriage Equality campaign, which is Question 6 on the November ballot.

“Welcoming committed gay couples to the rights and responsibilities of marriage is the right thing to do,” he said.

Last year, New York state passed a law allowing same-sex couples to marry. Bloomberg was a big supporter and says same-sex couples deserve the same rights and protection as heterosexual couples.

Yet, opponents of same-sex marriage in Maryland are fighting to stop the referendum from passing.

“We can love our gay and lesbian colleagues, family and friends. But we don’t have to redefine marriage,” Derek McCoy of the Maryland Marriage Alliance, said.

Bloomberg said that in addition to the civil rights he believes same-sex couples deserve, he says there’s also an economic impact when states allow same-sex marriages.

“Every wedding is a celebration that generates revenues for our restaurants and banquet halls, caterers and other small businesses,” he said.

He said that 8,000 couples married in New York last year after legislation legalizing gay marriage passed.